Share this page:

What is cardio-oncology?

Cardio-oncology is the intersection of heart conditions in patients who have been treated for cancer. Cardiologists can assess patients for potential risk of developing heart conditions if patients take certain types of cancer drugs, or following radiation treatment to the chest. They also help oncologists protect their patients during treatment by closely watching the heart and recognizing heart trouble early in treatment.

Cardio-Oncology Program at MHVI

At the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute (MHVI) Cardio-Oncology Program, our physicians are cardiologists who use advanced imaging to diagnose and evaluate a patient’s risk of developing a heart condition due to certain types of cancer treatments. Our cardiologists also treat patients who are undergoing cancer treatment, but have developed heart conditions, in the hope of protecting their heart function as much as possible.

Certain cancer drugs can weaken the heart or cause abnormal rhythms. We designed our Cardio-Oncology Program to provide cancer patients with excellent, multidisciplinary care. We combine advanced imaging and treatment protocols with a knowledgeable team of oncologists and cardiologists working together.

Goals of our Cardio-Oncology Program

Our cardiologists have developed a comprehensive program that aims to: